Disagreement over work done at Rhode Island auto shop leads to shooting with injuries police say

Police say that a Rhode Island man opened fire after a disagreement at an auto shop.

The suspect in Wednesday evening’s shooting at City Limit Auto Sales on Hartford Avenue in Johnston is identified as 44-year-old Ramon Abreu of Providence.

Abreu was arrested on Friday at 11:15 a.m. by members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force, United States Marshals Service and members of the Johnston Police Detective Division on a Johnston Police Department felony arrest warrant for two counts of felony assault with a dangerous weapon.

The incident stemmed from a dispute between Abreu and employees of the business over work being done to Abreu’s vehicle. After engaging in an argument, Abreu departed from the business only to return minutes later at which time he approached 2 employees and discharged two rounds from a pistol, firing a single shot at each employee, striking one of them in the leg. Thankfully, the leg injury sustained to the shooting victim was non-life-threatening. The second victim was not injured.

Abreu will be rearraigned in 3rd District Court on Monday on charges of two counts of Felony Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, License or Permit Required for Carrying a Pistol, Using a Firearm when Committing a Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Firearm after being Convicted of a Crime of Violence.

The Johnston Police Department commended the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force and the United States Marshals Service for their assistance and swift action in taking this dangerous suspect into custody.